ETHICS & LEGAL ISSUES IN HEALTHCARE PRACTICE EXAM 2026 | VERIFIED QUESTIONS & DETAILED RATIONALES STUDY GUIDE

ETHICS & LEGAL ISSUES IN HEALTHCARE
PRACTICE EXAM 2026 | VERIFIED QUESTIONS
& DETAILED RATIONALES STUDY GUIDE
ETHICS & LEGAL ISSUES IN HEALTHCARE PRACTICE EXAM 2026

VERIFIED QUESTIONS & DETAILED RATIONALE STUDY GUIDE

Questions | Multiple Choice



1. Which ethical principle requires healthcare providers to act in the best interest
of the patient?

A. Autonomy

B. Justice

C. Beneficence

D. Veracity

E. Fidelity

CORRECT ANSWER: C. Beneficence

RATIONALE: Beneficence means "doing good." It obligates healthcare providers
to take positive steps to promote the well-being of patients and act in their best interest
at all times.



2. A patient refuses a blood transfusion due to religious beliefs. The nurse
should:

A. Administer the transfusion because it is life-saving
B. Notify the hospital chaplain to convince the patient

C. Respect the patient's decision and document it

D. Seek a court order to override the patient's decision

E. Ask the family to persuade the patient

CORRECT ANSWER: C. Respect the patient's decision and document it

RATIONALE: Competent adult patients have the right to refuse any treatment,
including life-saving ones. This is grounded in the ethical principle of autonomy and
supported by law. The nurse must document the refusal and inform the physician.

,3. Which of the following best defines "informed consent"?

A. A patient signing a form before a procedure

B. A process by which a patient receives and understands information to make a
voluntary decision

C. A physician explaining risks without waiting for patient agreement

D. Written permission obtained from a patient's next of kin
E. The hospital's legal document protecting it from lawsuits

CORRECT ANSWER: B. A process by which a patient receives and
understands information to make a voluntary decision

RATIONALE: Informed consent is a legal and ethical process — not just a
signature. It requires disclosure of risks, benefits, alternatives, and the patient's
voluntary agreement based on understanding.


4. The principle of "do no harm" in healthcare is best described by which ethical
concept?

A. Beneficence
B. Justice

C. Autonomy

D. Non-maleficence

E. Veracity

CORRECT ANSWER: D. Non-maleficence

RATIONALE: Non-maleficence, derived from the Latin "primum non nocere,"
means healthcare providers must avoid causing harm. It is one of the four core
principles of biomedical ethics.



5. A nurse discovers a colleague diverting controlled substances. The most
appropriate action is to:
A. Confront the colleague directly and warn them

, B. Ignore it as it does not affect patient care directly

C. Report the behavior to the appropriate supervisor or authority

D. Document it privately and wait to see if it continues

E. Discuss it with other colleagues before reporting

CORRECT ANSWER: C. Report the behavior to the appropriate supervisor or
authority

RATIONALE: Healthcare professionals are legally and ethically obligated to report
unsafe or illegal behavior. Drug diversion endangers patients and constitutes a criminal
offense. Reporting protects patients and upholds professional standards.



6. Which document legally designates someone to make medical decisions for a
patient who is incapacitated?

A. Living will

B. Do-Not-Resuscitate order
C. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare

D. Advance directive registry form

E. Physician's order form

CORRECT ANSWER: C. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare

RATIONALE: A Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare (also called a healthcare
proxy) is a legal document that designates a specific person to make medical decisions
when a patient lacks decision-making capacity.



7. Which federal law protects the privacy and confidentiality of patient health
information?

A. EMTALA

B. ADA

C. HIPAA

D. COBRA
E. OSHA

, CORRECT ANSWER: C. HIPAA

RATIONALE: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of
1996 establishes national standards for protecting patient health information (PHI).
Violations can result in civil and criminal penalties.



8. A patient asks the nurse not to tell their spouse about their diagnosis. The
nurse should:

A. Tell the spouse because they have a right to know

B. Maintain confidentiality and honor the patient's request

C. Consult the physician before making any decision

D. Document the request and tell the spouse anyway

E. Ask the patient to tell their spouse themselves

CORRECT ANSWER: B. Maintain confidentiality and honor the patient's
request

RATIONALE: Patients have a legal and ethical right to confidentiality. Information
may only be shared with third parties with the patient's explicit consent, unless there is a
legal exception (e.g., mandatory reporting requirements).



9. Which of the following is an example of assault in healthcare?
A. Touching a patient without consent during a procedure

B. Threatening to restrain a patient if they do not cooperate

C. Failing to provide adequate pain medication

D. Administering the wrong medication to a patient

E. Disclosing patient information without consent

CORRECT ANSWER: B. Threatening to restrain a patient if they do not
cooperate

RATIONALE: Assault is the deliberate threat or act that causes a person to fear
imminent harmful or offensive contact. Battery involves actual unwanted physical
contact. Threatening a patient with restraints constitutes assault.